| | Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 1 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 1 | I looked at this, and other, support groups when I was diagnosed in February this year (tertiary oesophagal cancer, close to larynx, with large swelling in neck). I was already badly frightened and some of the discussions scared me even more.
On the advice of my excellent oncologist, I elected for radical chemo + radiotherapy. I was warned that I was unlikely to taste anything again, might well lose my voice and the ability to swallow, and had approx. 40% chance of the cancer being eradicated, and had to sign that I understood this.
Eight months on, I have just had a clear PET scan. I can swallow, talk and taste virtually as well as ever. On the journey here, I have met many wonderful people and know that, though extremely fortunate, I am by no means unique.
No, the treatment wasn't pleasant. But it wasn't unbearable either. And, for the quality of life I now have, it was SO well worth enduring.
Before my diagnosis, I had read of what was called a "fight" against cancer. I understand what it means now. People fight much better if they believe they can win. If my experiences can help anyone take on the first fight, I would be extremely happy to share them. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,940 "OCF across the pond" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | "OCF across the pond" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,940 | Hello Eric from a fellow Brit and welcome to OCF.I see like me you are an early bird as its just 5am here in the UK.Great to here of your success and i am sure your story will cheer on other new members.
Liz in the UK
Husband Robin aged 44 years Dx 8th Dec 2006 poorly differentiated SCC tongue with met to neck T1N2cM0 Surgery and Radiation.Finished TX April 2007
Recurrence June/07 died July 29th/07.
Never take your eye off the ball, it may just smack you in the mouth.
| | | | | Joined: May 2009 Posts: 72 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: May 2009 Posts: 72 | Thank you for sharing your story. Head and neck cancer treatment is never easy but always worth the fight. Congratulations on your clear PET.
Vanessa
Jeff age 49 DX 5/8/09 Tonsil cancer T2N2BMO. Tonsillectomy 5/14/09. TX: Cisplatin 3x's every 21 days w/ 33 Rad concurrent. 2-3 nodes on right neck affected. PEG 7/10/09. Chemo/rad start 6/12/9, TX finished 7/28/09. Extended TX
3 more chemo/Cisplatin/5FU/Docetaxil start 9/11, Clean PET 10/29/09.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 229 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 229 | Welcome Eric! Great news about your PET scan.
Patty
08-10-09 Partial Glossectomy w/suprahyoid neck dissection
SCC T1NOMX Stage I | 46 years old
| | | | | Joined: May 2009 Posts: 1,412 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: May 2009 Posts: 1,412 | Welcome Eric. Thank you for sharing your story. It is always nice to read posts about people who have gone through this before and are doing awesome now. Makes me really want to FIGHT this thing cause there is hope.
Last edited by walknlite; 11-08-2009 03:46 AM. Reason: typo
Angelia
31 at Dx.
DX: 4/30/09, 10/21/09 SCC on floor of mouth,
T1NOMO, T2N1M0
TX: 39 IMRT, 8 cisplatin 11/30/09
PET/CT: 11/03/09: Lymph node involvement
PEG/PORT: 11/09
TX end: 02/01/10
PET Scan: 04/05/10 clear
PEG Out: 06/21/10
Biopsy: 12/23/10: fibrosis
HBO: 01/04/11 - ORN
Baby girl born 11-30-12
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 595 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 595 | Welcome and congratson the clear Pet. Semper-Fi Bob
Bob age 57, non smoker,non drinker, ended treatment on 11 Nov 2007 and started back to work on 29 Nov 2007. Veterans Day 2012 the Battle was lowered, folded, Taps was played and the Flag buried as I am know a 5 year survivor. Semper-FI !!!
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,004 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,004 | Eric...this is wonderful news. Thank you for sharing your story with us. I'm happy to hear your PET was clear.
Suzanne
***********
T1 SCC on right side of tongue
Age 31...27 when diagnosed
4 partial glossectomies
No chemo or radiation
Biopsy on 2/2/10-Clear
Surgery needed again...no later than April 2011
Loving life and just became a mother on 11/25/10
It's not what we CAN'T do..it's what we CAN do:)
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,301 "OCF Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | "OCF Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,301 | Welcome to OCF and for posting your story.
I am sure there are lot's of people here now and unfortuately still to join that you will be able to help with your experiences.
History Leukoplakia bx 8/2006 SCC floor mouth T3N0M0- Verrucous Carcinoma.
14 hour 0p SCC-Right ND/excision/marginal mandibulectomy 9/2006, 4 teeth removed, flap from wrist, trach-ng 6 days- no chemo/rad.
6 ops and debulking (flap/tongue join) + bx's 2006-2012.
bx Jan 2012 Hyperkeratosis-Epithelial Dysplasia
24cm GIST tumour removed 8/2013. Indefinite Oral Chemo.
1/31/16 passed away peacefully surrounded by family
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Eric, welcome to OCF. Congrats on the great PET results. Im sure your experiences will be helpful to many others.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | | | | | Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 92 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 92 | Eric,
Thanks for sharing part of your story. Glad to see that treatment has been successful. I'm relatively new here (newly diagnosed - getting ready to, hopefully soon, start induction chemo). Posts like yours really help keep my spirits up.
Would you let me (us) know about some of the details of your treatment, what your support system was like, and if there were aspects that you thought would be tougher or easier than they turned out to be?
Keep well,
Pam
44 at 10-26-2009 Dx; SCC, T2N2b, St.IV BOT; Rt. Tonsil out; PET 11-12-09 (3 spots); 3 rds Cisplatin, Taxotere and 5-FU started 11-19-09; PEG 12-24-09; 7 wks chemo-rads done 03-16-10. 06-28 CT/PET watching 1 node; PEG out; 11-15 CT - larger; 11-23 PET activity up; mrdc 12-21; 04-01-11 CLEAN SCANS! ; March 2018 new SCC - Meet with surgeon 4-4-18
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